Now the "dope men" came forward, putting the sticks of dynamite in place.

Tom watched them closely.
"Do you call this last work well done ?" Tom inquired of the foreman of the tunnel.
"Yes, yes, senor, as well as I have been able to see," responded the Mexican.
"Then come with me.

Just look at the tamping.

Hardly worthy of the name of tamping, is it ?" Tom asked, poking at the material that had been forced in as tamping.
"Senor, my men must have been indolent, this time," admitted the foreman.
"Very indolent, or else indifferent," Tom smiled, grimly.

"Here, you men, come here and let me show you how to set dynamite and tamp it.